Stop Making Self-Care for Caregivers a Dirty Word
Can we please stop making self-care for caregivers a dirty word? I’m talking about the long, negative threads made in response to articles that encourage self-care. Mostly comments from overwhelmed parents of kids with special needs or time-pinched adult children looking after elderly parents. I understand where caregivers are coming from because I’ve been there, too.
For the same reason I also know self-care is essential.
Even when time is short.
Especially when caregivers are overwhelmed.
We have to stop making self-care for caregivers a dirty word. It’s not an easy task, to be sure. But these 4 strategies can help caregivers shift from blasting self-care to practicing it.
Strategy #1: Carve Out Realistic Time and Space for Self-Care
The key word here is realistic. As in a small amount of time. Perhaps only 5 minutes a day. Or 30 minutes once a week. Whatever fits into your schedule. An easily accessible place could be a corner of your bedroom or the kitchen table. Or, and I mean this sincerely, on the toilet. Which was once the only place I could get away from my very sick baby while my husband held him.
Strategy #2: Practice Self-Care that Will Feed Your Soul
Because schedules are tight and time is short, select self-care activities carefully. Stick with those that feed your soul. In other words, engage in self-care that is life-giving for you. Choose activities that give you energy and stay away from those that leave you depleted.
To read the rest of this post visit Heather Johnson’s blog, www.truelifewithgod.com.
Do you like what you see at DifferentDream.com? You can receive more great content by subscribing to the quarterly Different Dream newsletter and signing up for the daily RSS feed delivered to your email inbox. You can sign up for the first in the pop up box and the second at the bottom of this page.
By Jolene
Jolene Philo is a published author, speaker, wife, and mother of a son with special needs.
2 Comments
Submit a Comment
Meet Jolene
EZ Socks
Subscribe for Updates from Jolene
Related Posts
The Impact our Words May Have on the Children We Serve
With narratives from her past, Jolene demonstrates the impact our words may have on the children we serve.
Unexpected Grace Given and Received by Caregiving Parents
Looking at her difficulties differently led Karen Wright to experience the unexpected grace given and received by caregiving parents.
Why Did God Make Me this Way?
Guest blogger Steve Siler tells the story of his answer to his son’s question: “Why did God make me this way?”
Hi Lillian, you are exactly right. Limited time is the key issue. Thanks for a look at how you make time to care for yourself. Jolene
Jolene
I think the key element here is time and many of us feel it is in limited supply. I like what you said about feeding you soul and I believe this is a daily meal. I take time for meditation (I try to do this daily) and I also take time to reflect. Each week I make a goal to get out and exercise at least 3-4 times a week. Thanks for highlighting the need to make ourselves a priority.